1Can a practising cost accountant use 44ADA?
Yes — cost accountancy is a specified profession under 44ADA. With receipts within Rs 50 lakh (Rs 75 lakh where cash is 5% or less), declare 50% as income with no audit or detailed books.
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ArticleCost and management accountants in practice earn professional income from costing, audit and advisory work, usually after TDS. Here's how practising CMAs can save tax and stay compliant.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
Practising CMAs earn professional income — so 44ADA, real practice expenses, NPS and advance tax are the levers. Here's the playbook.
With professional receipts within Rs 50 lakh (Rs 75 lakh where cash is 5% or less), 44ADA lets you declare 50% as income with no audit. If your firm's real costs — staff, office, software, subscriptions — run above half your receipts, claiming actuals under regular books saves more. Pick deliberately.
If you're not on presumptive, claim every legitimate practice cost: staff salaries, office rent, costing and audit software, professional memberships, travel and depreciation on equipment. Clean books also keep your own return audit-proof.
Clients deduct TDS that shows in your 26AS/AIS — claim full credit and report all fees the AIS shows. Unclaimed TDS and under-reporting are common, avoidable errors even among finance professionals.
Use 80C up to Rs 1,50,000, then add the Rs 50,000 NPS under 80CCD(1B) above it, plus 80D health insurance. For a self-employed professional without a pension, NPS is a tax-efficient way to build a corpus.
Apply the discipline you give clients to yourself: if your tax exceeds Rs 10,000, pay across the four instalments to avoid 234B/234C interest. Estimate income early so a strong year doesn't create an interest bill.
Yes — cost accountancy is a specified profession under 44ADA. With receipts within Rs 50 lakh (Rs 75 lakh where cash is 5% or less), declare 50% as income with no audit or detailed books.
When firm costs exceed 50% of receipts. Staff, office and software can cross half your receipts in a growing practice — then regular books with actual expenses save more.
As you'd advise a client — pay in four instalments if tax exceeds Rs 10,000. Estimate professional income early so a strong year doesn't trigger 234B/234C interest.
Want a second pair of eyes on your own numbers? Write to the firm — we're happy to compare notes.